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Prico  15   Cents. 


READING   ON  -THE  RAIL, 


CIIAMPE'S  ADVEKTfJRE. 


BY 


GEK  IIIvM.'V   LEE. 


NS 


NEW-YORK  : 

OFFICE     OF     THE     H  E  15  E  L  L  I  O  X     RECORD. 
1804, 


opies  m(Ti!et9ft'&),  OH,  '-w.fj/t  <>f  the  /*/•/'<•'-. 


NOTE. 

THE  design  of  this  Series  is  to  afford  in- 
structive, substantial,  and  remunerative  entertain- 
ment to  persons  who  desire  at  once  to  improve 
their  moral  and  intellectual  condition,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  preserve  their  eye-sight ;  the  char- 
acter of  the  volumes  and  the  size  of  the  type 
tending  to  that  result. 

PRICES. 

BOOKS  FOR  ONE  HOUR'S  READING,.        .    15   CENTS. 
Two       "  .       25 

THREE     "  <c  30       " 

And   larger  volumes    in    proportion. 

Address, 

REBELLION   RECORD, 

441    BROADWAY,  N.  Y. 


fcr 


READING    ON    THE    EAIL 

No  I 


CHAMPE'S    ADVENTURE 


BEADING    ON    THE    KAIL 


CHAMPE'S   ADVENTURE 


BY 

GENERAL    HENRY    LEE 


NEW-YORK 
OFFICE     OF1     THE     REBELLION'     RECORD 

18C4 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1864,  by 

FRANK    MOORE, 

In  the  Clerk'g  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Southern 
District  of  New-York. 


CHAMPE'S    ADVENTUKE: 


r  [THE  treason  of  Benedict  Arnold,  the  cap- 
-L  ture  of  Major  Andre,  and  the  intelligence 
received  by  General  Washington  through  his 
confidential  agents  in  New- York,  that  many 
of  his  officers,  and  especially  a  major-general, 
were  connected  with  Arnold,  engrossed  his 
mind  entirely,  and  excited  the  most  unpleas- 
ant reflections.  The  moment  he  reached  the 
army,  then  under  the  command  of  Major- 
General  Greene,  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of 
Tappan,  he  sent  for  Major  Henry  Lee,* 
posted  with  the  light  troops  some  distance 
in  front.  This  officer  repaired  to  headquar- 
ters with  celerity,  and  found  the  General 
in  his  marquee  alone,  busily  engaged  in 

*  The  author  of  this  paper  held  the  rank  of  major,  and  was 
serving  under  General  Washington,  on  the  Hudson  River,  at  the 
time  of  the  capture  of  Andre  in  1780.. — ED. 


6  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

writing.  As  soon  as  Lee  entered,  lie  was 
requested  to  take  a  seat,  and  a  bundle  of 
papers,  lying  on  the  table  was  given  to  him 
for  perusal.  In  these  much  information  was 
detailed,  tending  to  prove  that  Arnold  was 
not  alone  in  the  base  conspiracy  just  detect- 
ed, but  that  the  poison  had  spread ;  and 
that  a  major-general,  whose  name  was  not 
concealed,  was  certainly  as  guilty  as  Arnold 
himself.  This  officer  had  enjoyed,  without 
interruption,  the  confidence  of  the  Command- 
er-in-Chief  throughout  the  war ;  nor  did  there 
exist  a  single  reason  in  support  of  the  accu- 
sation. It  altogether  rested  upon  the  intel- 
ligence derived  from  the  papers  before  him. 
Major  Lee,  personally  acquainted  with  the 
accused,  could  not  refrain  from  suggesting 
the  probability,  that  the  whole  was  a  con- 
trivance of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in  order  to 
destroy  that  confidence  between  the  com- 
mander and  his  officers  on  which  the  suc- 
cess of  military  operations  depends.  This  sug- 
gestion, "Washington  replied,  was  plausible, 
and  deserved  due  consideration.  It  had  early 
occurred  to  his  own  mind,  and  had  not  been 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  7 

slightly  regarded ;  but  his  reflections  settled 
in  a  conclusion  not  to  be  shaken ;  as  the 
same  suggestion  applied  to  no  officer  more 
forcibly  than  a  few  days  ago  it  would  have 
done  to  General  Arnold,  known  now  to  be 
a  traitor. 

Announcing  this  result  of  his  meditations 
with  the  tone  and  countenance  of  a  mind 
deeply  agitated,  and  resolved  upon  its  course, 
Lee  continuing  silent,  the  General  proceeded ; 
"  I  have  sent  for  you,  in  the  expectation  that 
you  have  in  your  corps  individuals  capable 
and  willing  to  undertake  an  indispensable, 
delicate,  and  hazardous  project.  Whoever 
conies  forward  upon  this  occasion  will  lay 
me  under  great  obligations  personally,  and 
in  behalf  of  the  United  States  I  will  reward 
him  amply.  No  time  is  to  be  lost :  he  must 
proceed,  if  possible,  this  night.  My  object  is 
to  probe  to  the  bottom  the  afflicting  intelli- 
gence contained  in  the  papers  you  have 
just  read ;  to  seize  Arnold,  and  by  getting 
him  to  save  Andre.  They  are  all  connected. 
While  my  emissary  is  engaged  in  preparing 
means  for  the  seizure  of  Arnold,  the  guilt 


8  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

of  others  can  be  traced ;  and  the  timely  de- 
livery of  Arnold  to  me,  will  possibly  put  it 
into  my  power  to  restore  the  amiable  and 
unfortunate  Andre  to  his  friends.  My  in- 
structions are  ready,  in  which  you  will  find 
my  express  orders  that  Arnold  is  not  to  be 
hurt;  but  that  he  be  permitted  to  escape  if 
to  be  prevented  only  by  killing  him,  as  his 
public  punishment  is  the  sole  object  in  view. 
This  you  cannot  too  forcibly  press  upon  whom- 
soever may  engage  in  the  enterprise;  and 
this  fail  not  to  do.  With  my  instructions 
are  two  letters,  to  be  delivered  as  ordered, 
and  here  are  some  guineas  for  expenses." 

Major  Lee  replying,  said,  that  he  had  little 
or  no  doubt  but  that  his  legion  contained 
many  individuals  daring  enough  for  any  op- 
eration, however  perilous  ;  but  that  the :  one 
in  view  required  a  combination  of  qualities 
not  easily  to  be  found  unless  in  a  commis- 
sioned officer,  to  whom  he  could  not  venture 
to  propose  an  enterprise,  the  first  step  to 
which  was  desertion.  That  though  the  ser- 
geant-major of  the  cavalry  was  in  all  respects 
qualified  for  the  delicate  and  adventurous 


CIIAMPE'S   ADVENTUKE.  9 

project,  and  to  Mm  it  might  be  proposed 
without  indelicacy,  as  his  station  did  not  in- 
terpose the  obstacle  before  stated ;  yet  it  was 
very  probable  that  the  same  difficulty  would 
occur  in  his  breast,  to  remove  which  would 
not  be  easy,  if  practicable. 

Washington  was  highly  pleased  at  finding 
that  a  non-commissioned  officer  was  deemed 
capable  of  executing  his  views ;  as  he  had 
felt  extreme  difficulty  in  authorizing  an  invi- 
tation to  officers,  who  generally  are,  and  al- 
ways ought  to  be,  scrupulous  and  nice  in 
adhering  to  the  course  of  honor.  Pie  asked 
the  name,  the  country,  the  age,  the  size, 
length  of  service,  and  character  of  the  ser 
geant. 

Being  told  his  name — that  he  was  a  native 
of  London  County  in  Virginia ;  about  twenty- 
three  or  twenty-four  years  of  age — that  he 
had  enlisted  in  1776 — rather  above  the  com- 
mon size — full  of  bone  and  muscle ;  with  a 
saturnine  countenance,  grave,  thoughtful,  and 
taciturn — of  tried  courage  and  inflexible  per- 
severance, and  as  likely  to  reject  an  overture 
coupled  with  ignominy  as  any  officer  in  the 


10  CHAMPE'S  ADVEXTTRE. 

corps — a  commission  being  the  goal  of  his 
lou^  and  anxious  exertions,  and  certain  on 

O  ' 

the  first  vacancy — the  General  exclaimed,  that 
he  was  the  very  man  for  the  business ;  that 
he  must  undertake  it;  and  that  going  to  the 
enemy  by  the  instigation  and  at  the  request 
of  his  officer,  was  not  desertion,  although  it 
appeared  to  be  so.  And  he  enjoined  that 
this  explanation,  as  coming  from  him,  should 
be  pressed  on  Champe ;  and  that  the  vast 
good  in  prospect  should  be  contrasted  with 
the  mere  semblance  of  doing  wrong,  which  he 
presumed  could  not  fail  to  conquer  every 
scruple.  Major  Lee  assured  the  General,  that 
every  exertion  would  be  essayed  on  his  part 
to  execute  his  wishes ;  and  taking  leave,  re- 
turned to  the  camp  of  the  light  corps,  which 
he  reached  about  eight  o'clock  at  nio;ht. 

O  O 

Sending  instantly  for  the  sergeant-major,  he 
introduced  the  business  in  the  way  best  cal- 
culated, as  he  thought,  to  produce  his  con- 
currence ;  and  dilated  largely  on  the  very 
great  obligations  he  would  confer  on  the  Corn- 
mander-in-Chief,  whose  unchanging  and  active 
beneficence  to  the  troops  had  justly  drawn 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  11 

to  him  their  affection,  which  would  be  mere- 
ly nominal,  if,  when  an  opportunity  should 
offer  to  any  individual  of  contributing  to  the 
promotion  of  his  views,  that  opportunity  was 
not  zealously  embraced.  That  the  one  now 
presented  to  him  had  never  before  occurred, 
and  in  all  probability  never  would  occur  again, 
even  should  the  war  continue  for  ages ;  it 
bein^  most  rare  for  three  distinct  conse- 

O 

quences,  all  of  primary  weight,  to  be  com- 
prised within  a  single  operation,  and  that 
operation  necessarily  to  be  entrusted  to  one 
man,  who  would  want  but  one  or  two  asso- 
ciates in  the  active  part  of  its  execution.  That 
the  chance  of  detection  became  extremely  nar- 
row, and  consequently  that  of  success  en- 
larged. That  by  succeeding  in  the  safe 
delivery  of  Arnold,  he  not  only  gratified 
his  General  in  the  most  acceptable  manner, 
but  he  would  be  hailed  as  the  avenger  of 
the  reputation  of  the  army,  stained  by  foul 
and  wicked  perfidy ;  and  what  could  not  but 
be  highly  pleasing,  he  would  be  the  instru- 
ment of  saving  the  life  of  Major  Andre,  soon 
to  be  brought  before  a  court  of  inquiry,  the 


12  CHAMPE'S  ADVEXTUHE. 

decision  of  whicli  could  not  be  doubted,  from 
the  universally  known  circumstances  of  the 
case,  and  had  been  anticipated  in  the  General's 
instructions.  That,  by  investigating  with  dili- 
gence and  accuracy  the  intelligence  communi- 
cated to  him,  he  would  bring  to  light  new 
guilt,  or  he  would  relieve  innocence  (as  was 
most  probable)  from  distrust ;  quieting  the 
torturing  suspicions  which  now  harrowed  the 
mind  of  Washington,  and  restoring  again  to 
his  confidence  a  once  honored  general,  pos- 
sessing it  at  present  only  ostensibly,  as  well 
as  hush  doubts .  affecting  many  of  his  brother 
soldiers. 

In  short,  the  accomplishment  of  so  much 
good  was  in  itself  too  .attractive  to  be  renounc- 
ed by  a  generous  mind ;  and  when  connected 
with  the  recollection  of  the  hio;h  honor  which 

O 

the  selection  shed  upon  him,  as  a  soldier 
he  ought  not — he  must  not  pause.  This  dis- 
course was  followed  by  a  detail  of  the  plan, 
with  a  wish  that  he  would  enter  upon  its 
execution  instantly.  Champe  listened  with 
deep  attention,  and  with  a  highly  excited 
countenance ;  the  perturbations  of  his  breast 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  13 

not  beiuQ-  hid  even  by  his  dark  visage.     He 

O  «/  o 

briefly  and  modestly  replied,  that  no  soldier 
exceeded  him  in  respect  and  affection  for  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  to  serve  whom  he  would 
willingly  lay  down  his  life ;  and  that  he  was 
sensible  of  the  honor  conferred  by  the  choice 
of  hint  for  the  execution  of  a  project  all  over 
arduous ;  nor  could  he  be  at  a  loss  to  know 
to  whom  was  to  be  ascribed  the  preference 
bestowed,  which  he  took  pleasure  in  acknow- 
ledging, although  increasing  obligations  before 
great  and  many. 

That  he  was  charmed  with  the  plan.  Even 
its  partial  success  would  lead  to  great  good; 
as  it  would  give  peace  to  the  General's  mind, 
and  do  justice,  as  he  hoped,  to  innocence.  Full 
success,  added  powerful  and  delicious  per- 
sonal excitements,  as  well  as  the  gratification 
of  the  General  and  army.  He  was  not,  he 
said,  deterred  by  the  danger  and  difficulty 
which  was  evidently  to  be  encountered,  but 
he  was  deterred  by  the  ignominy  of  desertion, 
to  be  followed  by  the  hypocrisy  of  enlist- 
ing with  the  enemy ;  neither  of  which  com- 
ported with  his  feelings,  and  either  placed 


14  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

an    insuperable   bar   in    his    way   to    promo- 
tion. 

He  concluded  by  observing,  that  if  any 
mode  could  be  contrived  free  from  disgrace, 
he  would  cordially  embark  in  the  enterprise. 
As  it  was,  he  prayed  to  be  excused ;  and  hoped 
that  services,  always  the  best  in  his  power 
to  perform,  faithfully  performed,  entitled  his 
prayer  to  success.  The  objection's  at  first  ap- 
prehended now  to  be  combated,  were  extend- 
ed to  a  consequence  which  had  not  suggested 
itself.  Lee  candidly  admitted  that  he  had 
expected  the  first  objection  made,  and  that 
only ;  which  had  been  imparted  to  the  Gen- 
eral, who  gave  to  it  full  consideration,  and  con- 
cluded by  declaring  that  the  crime  of  deser- 
tion was  not  incurred ;  as  no  act  done  by  the 
soldier  .at  the  request  of  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  could  be  considered  as  desertion ;  and 
that  an  action  so  manifestly  praiseworthy  as 
that  to  be  performed,  when  known,  would 
dissipate  by  its  own  force  the  reflections  ex- 
cited by  appearances,  leaving  the  actor  in  the 
full  enjoyment  of  the  rich  rewards  of  his 
virtue.  That  the  reflecting  mind  ought  not 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  15 

to  balance  between  the  achievement  of  so 
much  good  and  the  doing  wrong  in  semblance 
only ;  to  which  Major  Lee  subjoined,  that  he 
had  considered  himself  and  corps  highly 
honored  by  the  General's  call  upon  him  for 
a  soldier  capable  and  willing  to  execute  a 
project  so  tempting  to  the  brave ;  and  that 
he  should  feel  himself  reduced  to  a  mortify- 
ing condition,  if  the  resistance  to  the  under- 
taking compelled  him  to  inform  the  General 
that  he  must  recur  to  some  other  corps  to  pro- 
vide an  agent  to  execute  this  bold  and  im- 
portant enterprise. 

He  entreated  the  Sergeant  to  ask  himself 
what  must  be  the  reflections  of  his  comrades, 
if  a*  soldier  from  some  other  corps  should 
execute  the  attempt,  when  they  should  be 
told  that  the  glory  transferred  to  the  regi- 

O  »/  O 

ment  of  which  he  was  one  might  have  been 
enjoyed  by  the  legion,  had  not  Sergeant 
Champe  shrunk  from  the  overture  made  to 
him  by  his  General,  rather  than  reject  scruples 
too  narrow  and  confined  to  be  permitted  to 
interfere  with  grand  and  virtuous  deeds.  The 
esprit  du  corps  could  not  be  resisted ;  united 


16  CTIAMPE'S   ADVENTURE. 

to  liis  inclination,  it  subdued  his  prejudices, 
and  he  declared  his  willingness  to  conform 
to  the  wishes  of  the  General ;  relying,  as  he 
confidently  did,  that  his  reputation  would  be 
protected  by  those  who  had  induced  him  to 
undertake  the  enterprise,  should  he  be  unfor- 
tunate. 

The  instructions  were  read  to  him,  and  each 
distinct  object  presented  plainly  to  his  view, 
of  which  he  took  notes  so  disguised  as  to  be 

O 

understood  only  by  himself.  He  was  par- 
ticularly cautioned  to  use  the  utmost  circum- 
spection in  delivering  his  letters,  and  to  take 
care  to  withhold  from  the  two  individuals, 
addressed  under  feigned  names,  knowledge  of 
each  other ;  for  although  both  had  long  been 
in  the  confidence  of  the  General,  yet  it  was  not 
known  by  either  that  the  other  was  so  engaged. 

He  was  further  urged  to  bear  in  constant 
recollection  the  solemn  injunction  so  pointedly 
expressed  in  the  instructions  to  Major  Lee, 
of  forbearing  to  kill  Arnold  in  any  condition 
of  things. 

This  part  of  the  business  being  finished, 
their  deliberation  was  turned  to  the  manner 


CHAMPE'S   ADVENTURE.  17 

of  Champe's  desertion  ;  for  it  was  well  known 
to  them  both  that  to  pass  the  numerous 
patrols  of  horse  and  foot  crossing  from  the 
stationary  guards,  was  itself  difficult,  which 
was  now  rendered  more  so  by  parties  thrown 
occasionally  beyond  the  place  called  Liberty 
Pole,  as  well  as  by  swarms  of  irregulars,  in- 
duced sometimes  to  venture  down  to  the  very 
point  at  Paulus  Hook  with  the  hope  of  pick- 
ing up  booty.  Evidently  discernible  as  were 
the  difficulties  in  the  way,  no  relief  could  be 
administered  by  Major  Lee,  lest  it  might  in- 
duce a  belief  that  he  was  privy  to  the  deser- 
tion, which  opinion  getting  to  the  enemy 
would  involve  the  life  of  Champe.  The  Ser- 
geant was  left  to  his  own  resources  and  to  his 
own  management,  with  the  declared  deter- 
mination, that  in  case  his  departure  should 
be  discovered  before  morning,  Lee  would  take 
care  to  delay  pursuit  as  long  as  practicable. 

Giving  to  the  Sergeant  three  guineas,  and 
presenting,  his  best  wishes,  he  recommended 
him  to  start  without  delay,  and  enjoined  him. 
to  communicate  his  arrival  in  New- York  as 
soon  as  he  could.  Champe  pulling  out  his 


18  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

watch,  compared  it  with  the  Major's,  remind- 
ing the  latter  of  the  importance  of  holding- 
back  pursuit,  which  he  was  convinced  would 
take  place  in  the  course  of  the  night,  and 
which  might  be  fatal,  as  he  knew  that  lie 
should  be  obliged  to  zig-zag  in  order  to  avoid 
the  patrols,  which  would  consume  time.  It 
was  now  nearly  eleven.  The  Sergeant  return- 
ed to  camp,  and  taking  his  cloak,  valise,  and 
orderly  book,  he  drew  his  horse  from  the 
picket,  and  mounting  him,  put  himself  upon 
fortune.  Lee,  charmed  with  his  expeditious 
consummation  of  the  first  part  of  the  enter- 
prise, retired  to  rest.  Useless  attempt !  the 
past  scene  could  not  be  obliterated ;  and,  in- 
deed, had  that  been  practicable,  the  inter- 
ruption which  ensued  would  have  stopped^ 
repose. 

Within  half  an  hour  Captain  Carnes,  officer 
of  the  day,  waited  upon  the  Major,  and  with 
considerable  emotion  told  him  that  one  of 
the  patrol  had  fallen  in  with  a  dragoon,  who, 
being  challenged,  put  spur  to  his  horse  and 
escaped,  though  instantly  pursued.  Lee  com- 
plaining of  the  interruption,  and  pretending 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  19 

to  be  extremely  fatigued  by  liis  ride  to  and 
from  headquarters,  answered  as  if  lie  did 
not  understand  what  had  been  said,  which 
compelled  the  Captain  to  repeat  it.  "  Who 
can  the  fellow  that  was  pursued  be  ?"  inquired 
the  Major ;  adding,  a  "  countryman,  probably." 
"  No,"  replied  the  Captain, "  the  patrol  sufficient- 
ly distinguished  him  to  know  that  he  was  a 
dragoon ;  probably  one  from  the  army,  if  not 
certainly  one  of  our  own."  This  idea  was 
ridiculed  from,  its  improbability,  as  during 
the  whole  war  but  a  single  dragoon  had  de- 
serted from  the  legion.  This  did  not  convince 
Carnes,  so  much  stress  was  it  now  the  fashion 
to  lay  on  the  desertion  of  Arnold,  and  the 
probable  effect  of  his  example.  The  Captain 
withdrew  to  examine  the  squadron  of  horse, 
whom,  he  had  ordered  to  assemble  in  pursu- 
ance of  established  usage  on  similar  occasions. 
Very  quickly  he  returned,  stating  that  the 
scoundrel  was  known,  and  was  no  less  a  per- 
son than  the  Sergeant-Major,  who  had  gone 
off  with  his  horse,  baggage,  arms,  and  orderly 
book- — so  presumed,  as  neither  the  one  nor 
the  other  could  be  found.  Sensibly  affected 


20  CITAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

at  tlie  supposed  baseness  of  a  soldier  extreme- 
ly respected,  the  Captain  added  that  he  had 
ordered  a  party  to  make  ready  for  pursuit, 
and  begged  the  Major's  written  orders. 

Occasionally  this  discourse  was  interrupted 
and  every  idea  suggested  which  the  excellent 
character  of  the  Sergeant  warranted,  to  induce 
the  suspicion  that  he  had  not  deserted,  but 
had  taken  the  liberty  to  leave  camp  with  a 
view  to  personal  pleasure — an  example,  said 
Lee,  too  often  set  by  the  officers  themselves, 
destructive  as  it  was  of  discipline,  opposed  as 
it,  was  to  orders,  and  disastrous  as  it  might 
prove  to  the  corps  in  the  course  of  service. 

Some  little  delay  was  thus  interposed ;  but 
it  *being  now  announced  that  the  pursuing 
party  was  ready,  Major  Lee  directed  a  change 
in  the  officer,  saying  that  he  had  a  particular 
service  in  view,  which  he  had  determined  to 
entrust  to  the  lieutenant  ready  for  duty,  and 
which  probably  must  be  performed  in  the 
morning.  He  therefore  directed  him  to  sum- 
mon Cornet  Middleton  for  the  present  com- 
mand. Lee  was  induced  thus  to  act,  first  to 
add  to  the  delay,  and  next  from  his  knowledge 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  21 

of  the  tenderness  of  Middleton's  disposition, 
which  he  hoped  would  lead  to  the  pro- 
tection of  Champe,  should  he  be  taken. 
Within  ten  minutes  Middleton  appeared  to 
receive  his  orders,  which  were  delivered  to 
him  made  out  in  the  customary  form,  and 
signed  by  the  Major.  "  Pursue  as  far  as  you 
can  with  safety  Sergeant  CHampe,  who  is  sus- 
pected of  deserting  to  the  enemy,  and  has 
taken  the  road  leading  to  Paulus  Hook. 
Bring  him  alive,  that  he  may  suffer  in  the 
presence  of  the  army ;  but  kill  him  if  he  re- 
sists, or  escapes  after  being  taken." 

Detaining  the-  Cornet  a  few  minutes  long- 
er in  advising  him  what  course  to  pursue — 
urging  him  to  take  care  of  the  horse  and  ac- 
coutrements, if  recovered,  and  enjoining  him 
to  be  on  his  guard,  lest  he  might,  by  his 
eager  pursuit,  iinprovidently  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  the  Major  dismissed 
Middleton,  wishing  him  success.  A  shower 
of  rain  fell  soon  after  Champe's  departure, 
which  enabled  the  pursuing  dragoons  to  take 
the  trail  of  his  horse;  knowing,  as  offi- 
cer and  trooper  did,  the  make  of  their  shoes, 


22  GHAMPP:'S  ADVENTURE. 

the   impression    of    which   was    an    unerring 
guide.* 

When  Middleton  departed,  it  was  a  few 
minutes  past  twelve ;  so  that  Champe  had 
only  the  start  of  rather  more  than  an  hour — 
by  no  means  as  long  as  was  desired.  Lee 
became  very  unhappy,  not  only  because  the 
estimable  and  gallant  Champe  might  be  in- 
jured, but  lest  the  enterprise  might  be  delay- 
ed ;  and  he  spent  a  sleepless  night.  The  pur- 
suing party  during  the  night  was,  on  their 
part,  delayed  by  the  necessary  halts  to  ex- 
amine occasionally  the  road,  as  the  impression 
of  the  horse's  shoes  directed  their  course ;  this 
was  unfortunately  too  evident,  no  other  horse 
having  passed  along  the  road  since  the  shower. 
When  the  day  broke  Middleton  was  no  long- 
er forced  to  halt,  and  he  pressed  on  with 
rapidity.  Ascending  an  eminence  before  he 
reached  the  Three  Pigeons,  some  miles  on  the 

*  The  horses  being  all  shod  by  our  own  farriers,  the  shoes 
were  made  in  the  same  form ;  which,  with  a  private  mark  an- 
nexed to  the  fore-shoe?,  and  known  to  the  troopers,  pointed  out 
the  trail  of  our  dragoons  to  each  other,  which  was  often  very 
useful. 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  2b 

north  of  the  village  of  Bergen,  as  the  pursuing 
party  reached  its  summit,  Champe  was  de- 
scried not  more  than  half  a  mile  in  front. 
Resembling  an  Indian  in  vigilance,  the  Ser- 
geant at  the  same  moment  discovered  the 
party,  whose  object  he  w'as  no  stranger  to, 
and  giving  spur  to  his  horse,  he  determined 
to  outstrip  his  pursuers.  Middleton  at  the 
same  instant  put  his-  horses  to  the  top  of  their 
speed ;  and  being,  as  the  legion  all  were,  well 
acquainted  with  the  country,  he  recollected 
a  short  route  through  the  woods  to  the  bridge 
below  Bergen,  which  diverged  from  the  great 
road  just  after  you  gain  the  Three  Pigeons. 
Reaching  the  point  of  separation,  he  halted, 
and  dividing  his  party,  directed  a  sergeant 
with  a  few  dragoons  to  take  the  near  cut, 
and  possess  with  all  possible  despatch  the 
bridge,  while  he  with  the  residue  followed  ' 
Champe,  not  doubting  but  that  Champe  must 
deliver  himself  up,  as  he  would  be  closed  be- 
tween himself  and  his  sergeant.  Champe  did 
not  forget  the  short  cut,  and  would  have  taken 
it  himself,  but  he  knew  it  was  the  usual  route 
of  our  parties  when  returning  in  the  day  from 


24  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTUKE. 

the  neighborliood  of  the  enemy,  properly  pre- 
ferring the  woods  to  the  road.  He  conse- 
quently avoided  it ;  and  persuaded  that  Mid- 
dleton  would  avail  himself  of  it,  wisely 
resolved  to  relinquish  his  intention  of  getting 
to  Paulus  Hook,  and  to  seek  refuge  from  two 
British  galleys  lying  a  few  miles  to  the  west 
of  Bergen. 

This  was  a  station  always  occupied  by 
one  or  two  galleys,  and  which  it  was  known 
now  lay  there.  Entering  the  village  of  Ber- 
gen, Champe  turned  to  his  right,  and  dis- 
guising his  change  of  course  as  much  as  he 
could  by  taking  the  beaten  streets,  turning 
as  they  turned,  he  passed  through  the  village 
and  took  the  road  toward  Elizabethtown 
Point.  Middleton's  sergeant  gained  the  bridge, 
where  he  concealed  himself,  ready  to  pounce 
upon  Champe  w^hen  he  came  up  ;  and  Middle- 
ton,  pursuing  his  course  through  Bergen,  soon 
got  also  to  the  bridge,  when,  to  his  extreme 
mortification,  he  found  that  the  .Sergeant-  had 
slipped  through  his  fingers.  Returning  up 
the  road,  he  inquired  of  the  villagers  of  Ber- 
gen, whether  a  dragoon  had  been  seen  that 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  25 

morning  ahead  of  his  party.  He  was  answer- 
ed  in  the  affirmative,  but  could  learn  nothing 
satisfactorily  as  to  the  route  he  took.  While 
engaged  in  inquiries  himself,  he  spread  his 
•party  through  the  village  to  strike  the  trail 
of  Champe's  horse,  a  resort  always  recurred 
to.  Some  of  his  dragoons  hit  it  just  as  the 
Sergeant,  leaving  the  village,  got  in  the  road 
to  the  Point.  Pursuit  was  renewed  with 
vigor,  and  again  Champe  was  descried.  He, 
apprehending  the  event,  had  prepared  himself 
for  it,  by  lashing  his  valise  (containing  his 
clothes  and  orderly  book)  on  his  shoulders, 
and  holding  his  drawn  sword  in  his  hand, 
having  thrown  away  the  scabbard.  This  he 
did  to  save  what  was  indispensable  to  him, 
and  to  prevent  any  interruption  to  his  swim- 
ming, should  Middleton,  as  he  presumed,  when 
disappointed  at  the  bridge,  take  the  measures 
adopted  by  him.  The  pursuit  was  rapid  and 
close,  as  the  stop  occasioned  by  the  Sergeant's 
preparations  for  swimming  had  brought  Mid- 
dleton within  two  or  three  hundred  yards. 
As  soon  as  Champe  got  abreast  of  the  two 
galleys,  he  dismounted,  and  running  through 


26  CIIAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

the  marsh  to  the  river,  plunged  into  it,  calling 
upon  the  galleys  for  help.  This  was  readily 
given ;  they  fired  upon  our  horse,  and  sent  a 
boat  to  meet  Chainpe,  who  was  taken  in  and 
carried  on  board,  and  conveyed  to  New-Yorl^. 
with  a  letter  from  the  captain  of  the  galley, 
stating  the  circumstances  he  had  seen. 

The  horse  with  his  equipments,  the  Ser- 
geant's cloak  and  scabbard,  were  recovered ; 
the  sword  itself,  being  held  by  Chanipe  until 
he  plunged  into  the  river,  was  lost,  as  Middle- 
ton  found  it  necessary  to  retire  without  search- 
ing for  it. 

'About  three  o'clock  in  the  evening  our 
party  returned,  and  the  soldiers  seeing  the 
well-known  horse  in  our  possession,  made 
the  air  resound  with  exclamations  that  the 
scoundrel  was  killed. 

Major  Lee,  called  by  this  heart-rending  an- 
nunciation from  his  tent,  saw  the  Sergeant's 
horse  led  by  one  of  Middleton's  dragoons,  and 
began  to  reproach  himself  with  the  blood  of 
the  high  priaed,  faithful,  and  intrepid  Champe. 
Stifling  his  agony,  he  advanced  to  meet  Mid- 
dleton,  and  became  somewhat  relieved  as 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  27 

soon  as  he  got  near  enough  to  discern  the 
countenance  of  his  officer  and  party.  There 
.  was  evidence  in  their  looks  of  disappoint- 
ment, and  he  was  quickly  relieved  by  Mid- 
dleton's  information  that  the  Sergeant  had 
effected  his  escape  with  the  loss  of  his  horse, 
and  narrated  the  particulars  just  recited. 

Lee's  joy  was  now  as  full  as,  the  moment 
before,  his  torture  had  been  excruciating. 

'  O 

Never  was  a  happier  conclusion.  The  Ser- 
geant escaped  unhurt,  carrying  with  him  to 
the  enemy  undeniable  testimony  of  the  sin- 
cerity of  his  desertion — cancelling  every  ap- 
prehension before  entertained,  lest  the  enemy 
might  suspect  him  of  being  what  he  really 
was. 

Major  Lee  imparted  to  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  the  occurrence,  who  was  sensibly  affect- 
ed by  the  hair-breadth  escape  of  Champe, 
and  anticipated  with  pleasure  the  good  effect 
sure  to  follow  the  enemy's  knowledge  of  its 
manner. 

On  the  fourth  day  after  Champe's  depart- 
ure, Lee  received  a  letter  from  him,  written 
the  day  before  in  a  disguised  hand,  without  any 


28  CHAAIPE'S   ADVENTURE. 

signature,  and  stating  what  had  passed  after 
he  got  on  board  the  galley,  where  he  was 
kindly  received. 

He  was  carried  to  the  Commandant  of  New- 
York  as  soon  as  he  arrived,  and  presented 
the  letter  addressed  to  this  officer  from  the 
captain  of  the  galley.  Being  asked  to  what 
corps  he  belonged,  and  a  few  other  common 
questions,  he  was  sent  under  care  of  an  or- 
derly sergeant  to  the  Adjutant-General,  who, 
finding  that  he  was  sergeant-major  of  the 
legion  of  horse,  heretofore  remarkable  for 
their  fidelity,  began  to  interrogate  him.  He 
was  told  by  Champe,  that  such  was  the  spiiit 
of  defection  which  prevailed  among  the  Am- 
erican troops  in  consequence  of  Arnold's  ex- 
ample, that  he  had  no  doubt,  if  the  temper 
was  properly  cherished,  Washington's  ranks 
would  not  only  be  greatly  thinned,  but  that 
some  of  his  best  corps  would  leave  him.  To 
this  conclusion,  the  Sergeant  said,  he  was  led 
by  his  own  observations,  and  especially  by 
his  knowledge  of  the  discontents  which  agi- 
tated the  corps  to  which  he  had  belonged. 
His  size,  place  of  birth,  form,  countenance, 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  29 

hail',  the  corps  in  which,  he  had  served,  with 
other  remarks  in  conformity  to  the  British 
usage,  was  noted  down.  After  this  was 
finished,  he  was  sent  to  the  Coinmander-in- 
Chief,  in  charge  of  one  of  the  staff,  with  a 
letter  from  the  Adjutant-General.  Sir  Henry 
Clinton-  treated  him.  very  kindly,  and  de- 
tained him  more  than  one  hour,  asking  him 
many  questions,  all  leading — first,  to  know 
to  what  extent  this  spirit  of  defection  might 
be  pushed  by  proper  incitements — what  the 
most  operating  incitements — whether  any  gen- 
eral officers  were  suspected  by  Washington 
as  concerned  in  Arnold's  conspiracy,  or  any 
other  officers  of  note — who  they  were,  and 
whether  the  troops  approved  or  censured 
Washington's  suspicions — whether  his  pop- 
ularity in  the  army  was  sinking,  or  continued 
stationary.  What  was  Major  Andre's  situa- 
tion— whether  any  change  had  taken  place, 
in  the  manner  of  his  confinement — what  was 
the  current  opinion  of  his  probable  fate — and 
whether  it  was  thought  Washington  would 
treat  him  as  a  spy.  To  these  various  inter- 
rogations, some  of  which  were  perplexing 


»> 


80  CHAMPE'S   ADVENTURE. 

Cliampe  answered  warily ;  exciting,  neverthe- 
less, hopes 'that  the  adoption  of  proper  mea- 
sures to  encourage  desertion  (of  which  he 
could  not  pretend  to  form  an  opinion)  would 
certainly  bring  off  hundreds  of  the  American 
soldiers,  including  some  of  the  best  troops, 
horse  as  well  as  foot.  Respecting  the  fate  of 
Andre,  he  said  he  was  ignorant,  though  there 
appeared  to  be  a  general  wish  in  the  army 
that  his  life  should  not  be  taken ;  and  that 
he  believed  it  would  depend  more  upon  the 
disposition  of  Congress,  than  on  the  will  of 
Washington. 

After  this  long  conversation  ended,  Sir 
Henry  presented  Charnpe  with  a  couple  of 
guineas,  and  recommended  him  to  wait  upon 
General  Arnold,  who  was  engaged  in  raising 
an  American  legion  in  the  service  of  his  majes- 
ty. He  directed  one  of  his  aids  to  write  to 
Arnold  by  Champe,  stating  who  he  was,  and 
what  he  had  said  about  the  disposition  in 
the  army  to  follow  his  example ;  which  being 
soon  done,  the  letter  was  given  to  the  or- 
derly attending  on  Champe  to  be  presented 
with  the  deserter  to  General  Arnold.  Arnold 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  81 

expressed  much  satisfaction  on  hearing  from 
Champe  the  manner  of  his  escape,  and  the 
effect  of  Arnold's  example ;  and  concluded 
his  numerous  inquiries  by  assigning  quarters 
to  the  Sergeant — the  same  as  were  occupied 
by  his  recruiting  sergeants. 

He  also  proposed  to  Champe  to  join  his 
legion,  telling  him  he  would  give  him  the 
same  station  he  had  held  in  the  rebel  service, 
and  promising  further  advancement  when 
merited.  Expressing  his  wish  to  retire  from 
war,  and  his  conviction  of  the  certainty  of  his 
being  hung  if  ever  taken  by  the  rebels,  he 
begged  to  be  excused  from  enlistment ;  as- 
suring the  General,  that  should  he  change  his 
mind,  he  would  certainly  accept  his  offer. 
Retiring  to  his  quarters,  Champe  now  turned 
his  attention  to  the  delivery  of  his  letters, 
which  he  could  not  effect  until  the  next  night, 
and  then  only  to  one  of  the  two  incogniti 
to  whom  he  was  recommended.  This  man 
received  the  Sergeant  with  extreme  attention, 
and  having  read  the  letter,  assured  Champe 
that  he  might  rely  on  his  faithful  cooperation 
in  every  thing  in  his  power  consistent  with 


32  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

his  safety,  to  guard  wliicli  required  tlie  utmost 
prudence  and  circumspection.  The  sole  ob- 
ject in  which  the  aid  of  this  individual  was 
required,  regarded  the  general  and  others  of 
our  army,  implicated  in  the  information  sent 
to  Washington  by  him.  To  this  object 
Charnpe  urged  his  attention,  assuring  him 
of  the  solicitude  it  had  excited,  and  telling 
him  that  its  speedy  investigation  had  induced 
the  General  to  send  him  to  New- York. 

Promising  to  enter  upon  it  with  zeal,  and 
engaging  to  send  out  Chanipe's  letters  to  Major 
Lee,  he  fixed  the  time  and  place  for  their  next 
meeting,  when  they  separated. 

Lee  made  known  to  the  General  what  had 
been  transmitted  to  him  by  Chanipe,  and 
received  in  answer  directions  to  press  Champe 
to  the  expeditious  conclusion  of  his  mission, 
as  the  fate  ^f  Andre  would  be  soon  decided, 
when  little  or  no  delay  could  be  admitted 
in  executing  whatever  sentence  the  court 
might  decree.  The  same  messenger  who 

o  o 

brought  Chanipe's  letter,  returned  with  the 
ordered  communication.  Five  days  had  near- 
ly elapsed  after  reaching  Xew-York,  before 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  33 

Champe  saw  the  confidant  to  whom  only  the 
attempt  against  Arnold  was  to  be  intrusted. 
This  person  entered  with  promptitude  into 
the  design,  promising  his  cordial  assistance. 
To  procure  a  proper  associate  for  Champe 
was  the  first  object,  and  this  he  promised  to 
do  with  all  possible  despatch.  Furnishing 
a  conveyance  to  Lee,  we  again  heard  from 
Champe,  who  stated  what  I  have  related,  with 
the  additional  intelligence  that  he  had  that 
morning  (the  last  of  September)  been  ap- 
pointed one  of  Arnold's  recruiting  sergeants, 
having  enlisted  the  day  before  with  Arnold, 
and  that  he  was  induced  to  take  this  afflicting 
step,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  uninterrupt- 
ed ingress  and  egress  to  the  house  which 
the  General  occupied,  it  being  indispensable 
to  a  speedy  conclusion  of  the  difficult  enter- 
prise which  the  information  he  had  just  re- 
ceived had  so  forcibly  urged.  He  added, 
that  the  difficulties  in  his  way  were  numerous 
and  stubborn,  and  that  his  prospect  of  suc- 
cess was  by  no  means  cheering.  "With  respect 
to  the  additional  treason,  he  asserted  that  he 
had  every  reason  to  believe  that  it  was 


34  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

groundless,  that  the  report  took  its  rise  in 
the  enemy's  camp,  and  that  he  hoped  soon 
to  clear  up  that  matter  satisfactorily.  The 
pleasure  which  the  last  part  of  this  communi- 
cation afforded  was  damped  by  the  tidings 
it  imparted  respecting  Arnold,  as  on  his 
speedy  delivery  depended  Andre's  relief.  The 
interposition  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  who  was 
extremely  anxious  to  save  his  aid-de-camp,  still 
continued ;  and  it  was  expected  the  examina- 
tion of  witnesses  and  the  defence  of  the  pris- 
oner, would  protract  the  decision  of  the  court 
of  inquiry,  now  assembled,  and  give  sufficient 
time  for  the  consummation  of  the  project 
committed  to  Champe.  A  complete  disap- 
pointment took  place  from  a  quarter  unfore- 
seen and  unexpected.  The  honorable  and 
accomplished  Andre,  knowing  his  guilt,  dis- 
dained defence,  and  prevented  the  examina- 
tion of  witnesses  by  confessing  the  charactei 
in  which  he  stood.  On  the  next  day  (the 
second  of  October)  the  court  again  assem- 
bled ;  when  eveiy  doubt  that  could  possibly 
arise  in  the  case  having  been  removed  by 
the  previous  confession,  Andre"  was  de- 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  35 

clared  to  be  a  spy,  and  condemned  to  suffer 
accordingly. 

The  sentence  was  executed  on  the  subse- 
quent day  in  the  usual  form,  the  Commander- 
in-Chief  deeming  it  improper  to  interpose  any 
delay.  In  this  decision  he  was  warranted 
by  the  very  unpromising  intelligence  received 
from  Charnpe,  by  the  still  existing  implica- 
tion of  other  officers  in  Arnold's  conspiracy, 
by  a  due  regard  to-  public  opinion,  and  by 
real  tenderness  to  the  condemned. 

Neither  Congress  nor  the  nation  could  have 
been  with  propriety  informed  of  the  cause 
of  the  delay,  and  without  such  information 
it  must  have  excited  in  both  alarm  and  sus- 
picion. Andre  himself  could  not  have  been 
intrusted  with  the  secret,  and  would  conse- 
quently have  attributed  the  unlooked-for 
event  to  the  expostulation  and  exertion  of 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  which  would  not  fail  to 
produce  in  his  breast  expectations  of  ultimate 
relief;  to  excite  which  would  have  been  cruel, 
as  the  realization  of  such  expectation  depend- 
ed upon  a  possible  but  improbable  contin- 
gency. The  fate  of  Andr6,  hastened  by 


36  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

himself,  deprived  the  enterprise  committed 
to  Champe  of  a  feature  which  had  been 
highly  prized  by  its  projector,  and  which  had 
very  much  engaged  the  heart  of  the  indi- 
vidual ch6sen  to  execute  it. 

Washington  ordered  Major  Lee  to  communi- 
cate what  had  passed  to  the  Sergeant,  with 
directions  to  encourage  Mm  to  prosecute  with 
unrelaxed  vigor  the  remaining  objects  of  his 
instructions,  but  to  intermit  haste  in  the  ex- 
ecution only  as  far  as  was  compatible  with 
final  success. 

This  was  accordingly  done  by  the  first  op- 
portunity. Champe  deplored  the  sad  neces- 
sity which  had  occurred,  and  candidly  con- 
fessed that  the  hope  of  enabling  Washington 
to  save  the  life  of  Andre,  (who  had  been  the 
subject  of  universal  commiseration  in  the 
American  camp,)  greatly  contributed  to  re- 
move the  serious  difficulties  which  opposed 
his  acceding  to  the  proposition  when  first  pro- 
pounded. Some  documents  accompanied  this 
communication,  tending  to  prove  the  innocence 
of  the  accused  general ;  they  were  completely 
satisfactory,  and  did  credit  to  the  discrmiina- 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  37 

tion,  zeal,  and  diligence  of  the  Sergeant.  Lee 
inclosed  them  immediately  to  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  who  was  pleased  to  express  the  satis- 
faction he  derived  from  the  information,  and 
to  order  the  Major  to  wait  upon  him  the 
aext  day,  when  the  whole  subject  was  re- 
examined,  and  the  distrust  heretofore  enter- 
tained of  the  accused  was  for  ever  dismissed.* 
Nothing  now  remained  to  be  done  but  the 
seizure  and  safe  delivery  of  Arnold.  To  this 
subject  Champe  gave  his  undivided  attention ; 
and  on  the  nineteenth  October,  Major  Lee 
received  from  him  a  very  particular  account 
of  the  progress  he  had  made,  with  the  out- 
lines of  his  plan.  This  was,  without  delay, 

*  Copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Washington  to  Major  Lee,  in 
his  own  handwriting. 

October  13,  1780. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  am  very  glad  your  letter,  of  this  date,  has  given 
strength  to  my  conviction  of  the  innocence  of  the  gentleman  who 
was  the  subject  of  your  inquiry 

I  want  to  see  you  on  a  particular  piece  of  business.     If  the 
day  is  fair,  and  nothing  of  consequence  intervenes,  I  will  be  at 
the  Marquis's  quarters  by  ten  o'clock  to-morrow.     If  this  should 
not  happen,  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  you  at  headquarters. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 


38  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

submitted  to  Washington,  with  a  request  for  a 
few  additional  guineas.  The  General's  letter,* 

*  Copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Washington  to  Major  Lee,  in 
liis  own  handwriting. 

HEADQUA-HTERS,  October  30,  1780. 

DEAR  SIR  :  The  plan  proposed  for  taking  A d  (the  outlines 

of  which  are  communicated  in  your  letter,  which  was  this  mo- 
ment put  into  my  hands  without  date)  has  every  mark  of  a  good 
one.  I  therefore  agree  to  the  promised  rewards  ;  and  have  such 
entire  confidence  in  your  management  of  the  business,  as  to  give 
it  my  fullest  approbation  ;  and  leave  the  whole  to  the  guidance 
of  your  own  judgment,  with  this  expressed  stipulation  and 
pointed  injunction,  that  he  (A d)  is  brought  to  me  alive. 

No  circumstance  whatever  shall  obtain  my  consent  to  his 
being  put  to  death.  The  idea  which  would  accompany  such  an 
event,  would  be  that  ruffians  had  been  hired  to  assassinate  him. 
My  aim  is  to  make  a  public  example  of  him  ;  and  this  should  be 
strongly  impressed  upon  those  who  are  employed  to  bring  him 
off.  The  Sergeant  must  be  very  circumspect — too  much  zeal 
may  create  suspicion,  and  too  much  precipitancy  may  defeat 
the  project.  The  most  inviolable  secrecy  must  be  observed  on 
all  hands.  I  send  you  five  guineas ;  but  I  am  not  satisfied  of 
the  propriety  of  the  Sergeant's  appearing  with  much  specie. 
This  circumstance  may  also  lead  to  suspicion,  as  it  is  but  too 
well  known  to  the  enemy  that  we  do  not  abound  in  this  article. 

The  interviews  between  the  party  in  and  out  of  the  city, 
should  be  managed  with  much  caution  and  seeming  in- 
difference ;  or  else  the  frequency  of  their  meeting,  etc.,  may  be. 
tray  the  design,  and  involve  bad  consequences ;  but  I  am  per- 
suaded you  will  place  every  matter  in  a  proper  point  of  view  to 
the  conductors  of  this  interesting  business,  and  therefore  I  shall 
only  add,  that  I  am,  dear  sir,  etc.,  etc., 

G.  WASHINGTON. 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  39 

written  on  the  same  day,  (twentieth  October,) 
evinces  his  attention  to  the  minutiae  of  busi- 
ness, as  well  as  his  immutable  determination 
to  possess  Arnold  alive,  or  not  at  all.  This 
was  his  original  injunction,  which  he  never 
omitted  to  enforce  upon  every  proper  occa- 
sion. 

Major  Lee  had  an  opportunity  in  the  course 
of  the  week  of  writing  to  Champe,  when  he 
told  him  that  the  rewards  which  he  had 
promised  to  his  associates  would  be  certainly 
paid  on  the  delivery  of  Arnold;  and  in  the 
mean  time,  small  sums  of  money  would  be 
furnished  for  casual  expenses,  it  being  deemed 
improper  that  he  should  appear  with  much, 
lest  it  might  lead  to  suspicion  and  detection. 
That  five  guineas  were  now  sent,  and  that 
more  would  follow  when  absolutely  necessary. 
Ten  days  elapsed  "before  Champe  brought 
his  measures  to  a  conclusion,  when  Lee  re- 
ceived from  him  his  final  communication,  ap-. 
pointing  the  third  subsequent  night  for  a 
party  of  dragoons  to  meet  him  at  Hobokeu, 
when  he  hoped  to  deliver  Arnold  to  the  offi- 
cer. Champe  had,  from  his  enlistment  into 


40  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

the  American  legion,  (Arnold's  corps,)  every 
opportunity  he  could  wish  to  attend  to  the 
habits  of  the  General.  He  discovered  that 
it  was  his  custom  to  return  home  about  twelve 
every  night,  and  that  previous  to  going  to  bed 
he  always  visited  the  garden.  During  this 
visit  the  conspirators  were  to  seize  him,  and 
being  prepared  with  a  gag,  intended  to  have 
applied  the  same  instantly. 

Adjoining  the  house  in  which  Arnold  re- 
sided, and  that  in  which  it  was  designed  to 
seize  and  gag  him,  Champe  had  taken  out 
several  of  the  palings  and  replaced  them,  so 
that  with  care  and  without  noise  he  could 
readily  open  his  way  to  the  adjoining  alley. 
Into  this  alley  he  meant  to  have  conveyed  his 
prisoner,  aided  by  his  companion,  one  of  two 
associates  who  had  been  introduced  by  the 
friend  to  whom  Champe  had  been  orginally 
made  known  by  letter  from  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  and  with  whose  aid  and  counsel  he 
had  so  far  conducted  the  enterprise.  His 
other  associate  was  with  the  boat  prepared 
at  one  of  the  wharves  on  the  Hudson  River, 
to  receive  the  party. 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  41 

Champe  and  his  friend  intended  to  have 
placed  themselves  each  under  Arnold's  shouldei; 
and  to  have  thus  borne  him  through  the  most 
unfrequented  alleys  and  streets  to  the  boat, 
representing  Arnold,  in  case  of  being  ques- 
tioned, as  a  drunken  soldier  whom  they  were 
conveying  to  the  guard-house. 

When  arrived  at  the  boat  the  difficulties 
would  be  all  surmounted,  there  being  no 
danger  nor  obstacle  in  passing  to  the  Jersey 
shore.  These  particulars,  as  soon  as  known 
to  Lee,  were  communicated  to  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  who  was  highly  gratified  with  the 
much-desired  intelligence.  He  directed  Major 
Lee  to  meet  Champe,  and  to  take  care  that 
Arnold  should  not  be  hurt.  The  day  arrived, 
and  Lee  with  a  party  of  dragoons  left  camp 
late  in  the  evening,  with  three  led  horses ;  one 
for  Arnold,  one  for  the  Sergeant,  and  the  third 
for  his  associate,  never  doubting  the  success 
of  the  enterprise,  from  the  tenor  of  the  last 
received  communication.  The  party  reached 
Hoboken  about  midnight,  where  they  were 
concealed  in  the  adjoining  wood — Lee  with 
three  dragoons  stationing  himself  near  the 


4:2  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

river-sliore.  Hour  after  hour  passed — no  boat 
'  approached.  At  length  the  day  broke  and 
the  Major  retired  to  his  party,  and  with,  his 
led  horses  returned  to  camp,  when  he  proceed- 
ed to  headquarters  to  inform  the  General  of 
the  disappointment,  as  mortifying  as  inexplica- 
ble. Washington  having  perused  Chanipe's 
plan  and  communication,  had  indulged  the 
presumption  that  at  length  the  object  of 
his  keen  and  constant  pursuit  was  sure  of  ex- 
ecution,, and  did  not  dissemble  the  joy  such 
conviction  produced.  He  was  chagrined  at 
the  issue,  and  apprehended  that  his  faithful 
Sergeant  must  have  been  detected  in  the  last 
scene  of  his  tedious  and  difficult  enterprise. 
In  a  few  days,  Lee  received  an  anonymous 
letter  from  Champe's  patron  and  friend,  in- 
forming him  that  on  the  day  previous  to  the 
night  fixed  for  the  execution  of  the  plot, 
Arnold  had  removed  his  quarters  to  another 
part  of  the  town,  to  superintend  the  embarka- 
tion of  troops,  preparing  (as  was  rumored)  for 
an  expedition  to  be  directed  by  himself;  and 
that  the  American  legion,  consisting  chiefly  of 
deserters,  had  been  transferred  from  their 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  43 

barracks  to  one  of  the  transports;  it  being  ap- 
prehended that  if  left  on  shore  until  the  ex- 
pedition was  ready,  many  of  them  might  de- 
sert. Thus  it  happened  that  John  Champe, 
instead  of  crossing  the  Hudson  that  night, 
was  safely  deposited  on  board  one  of  the  fleet 
of  transports,  from  whence  he  never  departed 
until  the  troops  under  Arnold  landed  in  Vir- 
ginia! Nor  was  he  able  to  escape  from  the 
British  army  until  after  the  junction  of  Lord 
Cornwallis  at  Petersburg!},  when  he  deserted ; 
and  proceeding  high  up  into  Virginia,  he  passed 
into  North-Carolina  near  the  Saura  towns,  and 
keeping  in  the  friendly  districts  of  that  State, 
safely  joined  the  army  soon  after  it  had  passed 
the  Congaree  in  pursuit  of  Lord  Rawdon. 

His  appearance  excited  extreme  surprise 
among  his  former  comrades,  which  was  not 
a  little  increased  when  they  saw  the  cordial 
reception  he  met  with  from  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Lee.  His  whole  story  soon  became  known  to 
the  corps,  which  reproduced  the  love  and  re- 
spect of  officer  and  soldier,  heightened  by  uni- 
versal admiration  of  his  daring  and  arduous 
attempt. 


44  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

Champe  was  introduced  to  General  Greene, 
who  cheerfully  complied  with  the  promises 
made  by  the  Commander-in-Chief,  as  far  as  in 
his  power ;  and  having  provided  the  Sergeant 
with  a  good  horse  and  money  for  his  journey, 
sent  him  to  General  Washington,  who  munifi- 
cently anticipated  every  desire  of  the  Sergeant, 
and  presented  him  with  a  discharge  from  fur- 
ther service,*  lest  he  might  in  the  vicissitudes 
of  war,  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands,  when  if 
recognized,  he  was  sure  to  die  on  a  gibbet. 

*  When  General  Washington  was  called  by  President  Adams 
to  the  command  of  the  army  prepared  to  defend  the  country 
from  French  hostility,  he  sent  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Lee  to  in- 
quire for  Champe,  being  determined  to  bring  him-  into  the  field 
at  the  head  of  a  company  of  infantry. 

Lee  sent  to  Loudon  County,  where  Champe  settled  after  hia 
discharge  from  the  army,  and  learned  that  the  gallant  soldier  had 
removed  to  Kentucky,  and  had  soon  after  died. 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  46 

SERGEANT     CHAMPE. 

A     BALLAD     OP     THE     REVOLUTION. 


COME,  sheathe  your  swords  !  my  gallant  boys, 

And  listen  to  the  story, 
How  Sergeant  Champe,  one  gloomy  night, 

Set  off  to  catch  the  tory. 

You  see  the  General  had  got  mad, 
To  think  his  plans  were  thwarted, 

And  swore  by  all,  both  good  and  bad, 
That  Arnold  should  be  carted. 

So  unto  Lee  he  sent  a  line, 

And  told  him  all  his  sorrow, 
And  said  that  he  must  start  the  hunt, 

Before  the  coming  morrow. 

Lee  found  a  sergeant  in  his  camp, 

Made  up  of  bone  and  muscle, 
Who  ne'er  knew  fear,  and  many  a  year 

With  tories  had  a  tussle. 

Bold  Champe,  when  mounted  on  old  Rip, 
All  buttoned  up  from  weather, 

Sang  out  "  good-by !"  cracked  off  his  whip, 
And  soon  was  in  the  heather. 

He  galloped  on  toward  Paulus  Hook, 

Improving  every  instant — 
Until  a  patrol,  wide  awake, 

Descried  him  in  the  distance. 

On  coming  up,  the  guard  called  out, 
And  asked  him  where  he's  going — 


46  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

To  which  he  answered  with  his  spur, 
And  left  him  in  the  mowing. 

The  bushes  passed  him  like  the  wind, 
And  pebbles  flew  asunder. 

The  guard  was  left  far,  far  behind, 
All  mixed  with  mud  and  wonder. 

Lee's  troops  paraded,  all  alive, 

Although  'twas  one  the  morning, 

And  counting  o'er  a  dozen  or  more, 
One  sergeant  is  found  wanting. 

A  little  hero,  full  of  spunk, 

But  not  so  full  of  judgment, 

Pressed  Major  Lee  to  let  him  go, 

With  the  bravest  of  his  reg'ment. 

Lee  summoned  Cornet  Middleton, 
Expressed  what  was  urgent, 

And  gave  him  orders  how  to  go 

To  catch  the  rambling  Sergeant. 

Then  forty  troopers,  more  or  less, 
Set  off  across  the  meader  ; 

'Bout  thirty-nine  went  jogging  on 
A-following  their  leader. 

At  early  morn  adown  a  hill 

They  saw  the  Sergeant  sliding  ; 

So  fast  he  went,  it  was  not  ken't, 
Whether  he's  rode,  or  riding. 

None  looked  back,  but  on  they  spurred, 
A-gaining  every  minute. 

To  see  them  go,  'twould  done  you  good, 
You'd  thought  old  Satan  in  it. 


CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE.  47 

The  Sergeant  missed  'em,  by  good  luck, 

And  took  another  tracing, 
He  turned  his  horse  from  Paul  us  Hook, 

Elizabethtown  facing. 

It  was  the  custom  of  Sir  Hal 

To  send  his  galleys  cruising, 
And  so  it  happened  just  then, 

That  two  were  at  Van  Deusen's. 

Straight  unto  these  the  Sergeant  went, 

And  left  old  Rip,  all  standing, 
A-waiting  for  the  blown  cornet, 

At  Squire  Van  Deusen's  landing. 

The  troopers  didn't  gallop  home, 

But  rested  from  their  labors  ; 
And  some  'tis  said  took  gingerbread 

And  cider  from  the  neighbors. 

'Twas  just  at  eve  the  troopers  reached 

The  camp  they  left  that  morning. 
Champe's  empty  saddle,  unto  Lee, 

Gave  an  unwelcome  warning. 

"  Tf  Champe  has  suffered,  'tis  my  fault ;" 

So  thought  the  generous  Major  : 
"  I  would  not  have  his  garment  touched 

For  millions  on  a  wager  !" 

The  Cornet  told  him  all  he  knew, 

Excepting  of  the  cider. 
The  troopers,  all,  spurred  very  well, 

But  Champe  was  the  best  rider  ! 

And  so  it  happened  that  brave  Champe 
Unto  Sir  Hal  deserted, 


48  CHAMPE'S  ADVENTURE. 

Deceiving  him,  and  you,  and  me, 
And  into  York  was  flirted. 

He  saw  base  Arnold  in  his  camp, 

Surrounded  by  the  legion, 
And  told  him  of  the  recent  prank 

That  threw  him  in  that  region.    . 

Then  Arnold  grinned,  and  rubbed  his  hands, 
And  e'enmost  choked  with  pleasure, 

Not  thinking  Champe  was  all  the  while 
A  "  taking  of  his  measure." 

"  Come  now,"  says  he,  "  my  bold  soldier, 

As  you're  within  our  borders, 
Let's  drink  our  fill,  old  care  to  kill, 
To-morrow  you'll  have  orders." 

Full  soon  the  British  fleet  set  sail ! 

Say  !  wasn't  that  a  pity  ? 
For  thus  it  was  brave  Sergeant  Champe     , 

Was  taken  from  the  city. 

To  Southern  climes  the  shipping  flew, 

And  anchored  in  Virginia, 
When  Champe  escaped  and  joined  his  friends 

Among  the  picinnini. 

Base  Arnold's  head,  by  luck,  was  saved, 

Poor  Andre  was  gibbeted. 
Arnold's  to  blame  for  Andre's  fame, 

And  Andre's  to  be  pitied. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


PERSONS  noticing  the  omission  of  any  im- 
portant facts,  documents,  narratives,  rumors,  in- 
cidents, or  poetry,  in  the  volumes  of  the  RE- 
BELLION RECORD,  will  oblige  the  Editor  by 
calling  his  attention  to  such. 

FRANK   MOORE, 

Editor  REBELLION  RECORD 
NEW- YORK,  April,   1864. 


TH1<:       GREWT       "  JjIVI-V*  J        1  1  Is- 


EEBELLIoRECORD, 

EDITED    BT 

FRANK     MOORE. 


THIS  "  CYCLOPAEDIA  OF  THE  WAT.  "  is  the  great  storehouse  of  authen- 
tic information  on  all  points  connected  with  the  gigantic  Southern 
conspiracy  anil  rebellion  against  tlic  Union  and  the  Government. 
It  includes  all  state  papers  and  official  documents  of  value,  both  National 
1  and  Eebcl,  without  note  or  comment;  and  comprises,  besides,  a  eonipre- 
)  hensivc  repository  of  curious  and  valuable  m<:it<:!\<ic.-<  tor  history;  spirited 
)  and  picturesque  letters  and  narratives  ;  anecdotes,  lyrics,  etc.,  etc.     Near- 
ly five  hundred  different  newspapers,  North  and  South,  have  been  col- 
j  lectcd  regularly  and  carefully  throughout  t'.ie  war,  in  order  that  all  facts 
|  and  report-  collated  and  digested.     Much  has  been 

j   derived  directly  from  the  highest  official  sources,  and  heads  of  depar;  - 
me:/  ::tedly  state.!  that  this  work  '.s  t<>  them  indispensable  for 

constant  "reference.     Unlike  numerous  hastily-prepared  and  premature 
"  histories,''  thU  work  i.s  t',  •  >'ti  ion  <]f  all  Jii4>jrics  r>f  this  period. 

Most  of  the   histories  of  the  war  yet  published  have  been    in  a  great 
are  compiled  from  it.     This  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  documents 
}  cited  in  those  works  are  quotnl  in  Uu:  pliraseoloyj  of  tin  copu*  revixttl  by 
;  tJt<:ir  authors  specially  for  tltf  RECORD,  and  puljliflifd  nowhere  else.  'It  in- 
i  eludes,  also,  a  full  DIART  and  comprclicnsive  NARRATIVE. 

Six  Volumes,  royal   ^vo.  with  Seventv-six   Portraits  on  Steel,   with 
.   Maps  and  full  Indices,  are  now  ready. 

PRICES. 

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